Control for locks or the like



Aug. 13, 1929- H. s. CHASE ET AL CONTROL FOR LOCKS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet Q m. m g Q Q h 1 Q Q S I um a I 2 k m nww EH x Aug. 13, 1929. ET AL 1,724,792

CONTROL FOR LOCKS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet N Wu CONTROL FOR LOCKS OR THE LIKE Filed Jan. 24, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Deva lions Euwwflflmse W'IliamlZF/elvlwr filial-nary Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HORACE S. CHASE, 0F BOSTON, AND WILLIAM R. FLETCHER, OF SOUTHWICK, MAS- SACHUSETTS; SAID FLETCHER ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE CHASE.

CONTROL FOR LOCKS OR THE LIKE.

ASSIGNMENTS, TO SAID Application filed January 24, 1924. Serial No. 688,302.

Our present invention relates to systems of combination controls such as door locks and the like. To take as an example a situation which may be profitably considered as involving a characteristic problem and a practical solution therefor. I

In large hotels, apartment houses and the like great difliculty has been experienced with room or apartment keys. There is, first, the serious annoyance due to the loss of keys, and the very serious problem involved in the ease with which hotel keys may be duplicated for unlawful purposes. There is furthermore the difficulty in such States as require that a room be locked against a guest or tenant who has not paid his bill, and other and various dilliculties and complications too numerous to mention but all of common experience. A great variety of solutions have been attempted but so far the usual hotel and apartment house is fitted out with key locks and the ancient troubles continue to persist.

Our invention contemplates a control for a lock by which a combination feature is introduced. Ordinarily combination locks are difiicult to set and are diflicult for the average individual to manipulate while affordinglittle difllculty for the skilled crook to work. In accordance with our invention a combination is very readily set and very easily operated by anyone having the combination. It provides a number of advantages and possibilities. These will be pointed out further in the specification as we proceed to the discussion of an embodiment of our invention which we have selected as illustrative. This we show in the accompanying drawings throughout which and the specification reference characters are employed in the usual manner. In the drawings Fig. 1 is a front elevation of our combination box.

Fig. 2 is a view of the inner door or panel of the same.

Fig. 3 is a view of the box interior.

Fig. 4 is an elevation of the box with a side removed.

gig. 5 is a detail section of the dial hands, an

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical indication of the system and its wiring.

Our system in the embodiment shown comprises three general factors which may first be considered in regard to the general function. In Fig. 1 is shown the outer face of door X of a wall cabinet Y. This door X is in fact a panel carrying two columns of push buttons 02 there preferably being ten or more buttons in each column. In one column the buttons arepreferably assigned numbers and in the other letters by which the individual buttons may be designated. These buttons constitute an exposed key board by which the guest or other person authorized to enter the room may close in the control system certain predetermined circuits which have been selected to constitute the combination on which the control is set to work.

As will hereafter be explained more in detail, each of the buttons w is wired in on an independent line which is connected with a battery or other source of energy so that when a button is pressed its line is energized and if that line has been selected for inclusion in the combination the current will be transmitted into the control system.

The various lines from the buttons m are each connected with one of the contact points .2 set as a dial on the inner door or panel Z. This dial is in effect a four-bladed switch, the dial form being found convenient both on account of compactness and ease in setting. The dial has four arms Z Z Z Z, which are arranged somewhat after the manner of the hands of a clock and are of such length that each hand may contact with any one of the points 2. These hands have posts each insulated from the other and passing through the plate on which they are mounted and are each separately wired to one of the actuated elements of the system. By setting these hands on different predetermined points .2 as indicated by the number or letter assigned any combination of four or less letters or numbers may be provided for so that when the selected buttons are pressed each button circuit is connected up to the dial with one of the actuating devices of the system.

At this point it should be notedthat in order to prevent the working of the combination by experiment we have provided in our system means necessitating a predetermined sequence of operation of the buttons in order to obtain a successful actuation of the look. This leads us to a brief consideration of the actuating mechanism by which the lock is opened.

In any concealed and protected location, but preferably within a wall box such as Y, we arrange a battery of electro-magnets. In

eassuro 21, 22", and 23 between each magnet and the next. The switches are operated by the armatures 1,2 and 3 so that when each magnet is energized in its proper turn a circuit is built up through the series to the final magnet 23. The armatures of the magnets are normally held away? by springs after the usual manner and are so disposed as each to close the switch interposed in the series be tween its winding and that of the next magnet.

The armature of the last magnet 24 operates a kick-0H for the first two switches thus breaking the established combination circuit. If it be desired to leave the combination established the fourth button of the combination is not pressed. Until the fourth button is pressed the door may be opened by simply pressing the third button of the combination.

For the purposes of the present disclosure it will be understood that the actual lock of the door is of the usual magnetic type in which a small electro-magnet is energized to withdraw a catch so that if the circuit is established the third button operates the door catch just as the single button operates it in ordinary installations.

The above constitutes the general elements in the form of our invention chosen for discussion herein. We will now describe the various parts more in detail and will also discuss the wiring with special reference to Fig. 6 which illustratesthe same diagrammatically. I i

As before described, the panel X, Fig. 1, may conveniently constitute the door of a wall box Y which may be set conveniently adjacent the. door frame or in the frame itself. In addition to the push buttons :12 it is preferably provided with a small electric light L which may be switched on and off as by the switch Z. Adjacent the bottom of the door we preferably'also provide a switch S which is cut men the wiring, as will be hereinafter described, so that if desired the current may be cut off and the system thrown out of commission.

Referring to Fig. 4 which is an elevation of the box with side removed, it will be seen that the inner panel or door Z is set somewhat within the box or cabinet and spaced from the panel X sufiiciently to give clearance for the dial hands Z Z Z Z*. The hands are so formed that they may pass each other and yet each one may be brought into contact with anyone of the contacts 2. The posts of the hands are concentrically nested as shown in Fig. 5, and insulated from each other and each one is connected to a line as at 101, 102, 103, 104 with its corresponding electromagnets 21, 22, 23 and 24.

armature connected with a switch pin 23" aligned with a pair of spring lips'23 while the armature of the magnet 24 is connected to a kick off or push bar 24 the head of which is adapted to engage the flanges of the switch pins 21 22*, so as to withdraw the switch from between its contact lips and separate the armatures 21 22 of the magnets 21 and 22 from the adjacent poles of the magnet cores. It is therefore the function of the magnet 24 to break the circuit which has been built up and thus leave the door lock inoperable until a new combination has been built This kick off or circuit breaker also serves as a factor in case of attempt to work the combination by experiment, because if the button controlling the magnet 24 be pressed out of turn it immediately breaks any circuit that has previously been established.

Referring now to the diagrammatical showing of Fig. 5, it will be seen that the system shown is wired as follows: Each one of the push buttons 2 is connected on one side with a common battery line 110 which is interrupted at Y by the plug hereinbefore described. The otherside of the buttons are wired, as at 111 to 120 inclusive, to their respective contacts a. As before explained, the dial hands Z Z Z Z are wired through respective lines 101. 102, 103, 104 to their respective magnets, the line 101 leading to the winding of the magnet 21, the line 102 leading to the winding of the magnet 22, the line 103 leading to the winding of the magnet 23, and the line 104 leading to the winding of the magnet 24. The other end of the winding of the magnet 21 is led through a wire 221 to one leaf of the switch 21. The opposite leaf is connected by the line 222 to the winding of the magnet 22 which in turn is connected to one leaf of the switch 22. The other leaf of the switch 22 is wired to the winding of the magnet 23. The other end of the winding of the magnet 23 is connected to its own line 103 while the line 102 is connected in-on the connection 222. The main lock circuit I have indicated as connected in on the switch'23 one lip of which is electrically connected with the binding post AA, and the other to the post B-B to which the usual main line of the door latch 250 is connected. These are connected up so as to include the battery.

In the form shown in Fig. 6 we have diagrammatically illustrated a series .of push buttons as indicated at '2. In the form shown the right hand column of buttons carry number indications which may be in sequence or otherwise, and the left hand series carry letter identifications. This use of both numbers and letters has some advantage but the keys may be given any character indications or colors, or other differentiation may be used. One side of each button is connected by a common wire to a battery lead 110, which is preferably interrupted by a switch of any form from which the line 111 leads to the battery 112. From the batteries the line 113 leads to the binding post AA, Fig. 3, from which it will be seen that it connects directly with the windings of the magnets 21, 23 and 24. In the diagram of Fig. 6, we have indicated the line 114 as the connection of the winding of the magnet 24; with its own binding post through which it is connected by the line 104 with its indicated dial arm 4 which is shown as on its contact point M which is connected by the line 117 with the other side of the button M. This constitutes a characteristic circuit by which the wiring plan will be understood. It is only necessary to consider the arrangement by which the proper sequence of actuation is compelled. Take for example, the first number of the given combination 1710M. lVe have indicated the line 311 running from that button 2 which carries the indication 1 and which runs to its contact point 1 on which the arm Z is located. This arm is connected as indicated by line 101 which connects up with one end of the winding of the magnet 21. The other end of the winding of the magnet 21 leads by a line 221 to the switch 21 and the other lip of which by the line 222 connects with the magnet 22. The magnet 22 is also connected by a line 222 with its own dial connection 102 which is connected to the hand Z shown as located on its contact point indicated as 7 which is wired to the line 317 with the button which carries the indication 7. The magnet 22 is also connected by the line 223 with the magnet 23 which is also connected to its line 103 with its hand Z This is on the contact point indicated, as 10 through which its line 320 with the button indicated as 10. The line 223 between the magnets 22 and 23 is also broken as at 22 for the switch heretofore described as operated by the armature of the magnet 22.

It will thus be seen that the main line connection which is established by the actuation pressed until the connection is set up by the actuations of the magnets 21, 22 and 23 have been completed. lVhen the magnet 23 is energized by pressing the third number of the combination in its proper order, i. e. the button 10, the line 400 will be energized and the lock will be opened.

e have not attempted to show the lock herein as any type of magnetic lock may be used in connection with this system. As before expressed, this system may be variously utilized for all sorts of purposes, the matter of lock being discussed merely an important and illustrative form. The device may also be variously wired in manners which will readily occur to those skilled in the art. It is also obvious that various well known electrical contrivances may be substituted for those herein shown, and all without departing from the spirit of our invention it within the limits of the appended claims.

What we therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a lock control system, a plurality of electrically controlled devices successively operable to establish a control circuit, a selective circuit setting device comprising a plurality of switch arms concentrically arranged for movement about a common axis one switch arm being provided for each control device and electrically connected with the respective control devices, a plurality of independent contacts circularly disposed so that each contact is enga-geable by one or more switch arms to selectively establish the said devices in circuit with any predetermined contacts and exposed independent circuit closers, one for each contact and electrically connected therewith whereby a predetermined circuit combination may be completed to establish or break the control circuit, and an electro magnetic circuit breaker for destroying any previous circuit combination, the circuit for said circuit breaker.

being dependent upon the setting of one of the arms of the selective circuit setting device and one of the exposed independent circuit closers.

2. A lock control comprising a plurality of electric circuits, a normally open circuit closer for each, a plurality of electro magnets having the circuits thereof electrically interlocked to effect successive operation to establish a control circuit, each electro-magnet when energized being arranged to close a pair of contacts in the circuit of the succeeding electro-magnet to be operated whereby successive operation of the electro magnets is assured, a selective circuit setting device comprising a plurality of switch arms concentrically arranged for movement about a common axis one switch arm being provided for each electro magnet, one of each of said electro magnets being connected to one of each of the selector switch arms, a

plurality of independent contacts so arranged that each is engageable by any one or more ofsaicl selector switch arms to selectively set the circuit for said electro magnets as to require a predetermined sequence of operations, and a series of push buttons corresponding in number to the contacts of the selector device one of each of the selector contacts being connected to a corresponding push button, whereby any predetermined circuit combination as determined by the set of the circuit selector device, may be built up by successively closing the push buttons in predetermined order to establish the control circuit, and an electro magnetic circuit breaker for destroying any previous circuit combination which may have been established, the circuit for said circuit closer including therein, the contacts of the circuit selector deviceand the push button circuit, the circuit for said circuit breaker being independent of the circuit for th electro magnets.

3. A look control comprising a plurality of lines adapted to be electrically energized, an exposed key board therefor, a plurality of push buttons on said board and constituting normally open closers for said lines, a plurality of .electro-magnets successively operable to establish a lock circuit, a selec tive circuit setting device including concen- 'tric switch arms one for each electro-magnet and electrically connected therewith, a plurality of circularly arranged independent contacts disposed about the switch arm axis each engageable by any switch arm selectively to establish the said devices in circuit with any predetermined contacts, one of each 01": said independent contacts being each electrically connected to one of each of the push buttons whereby any desired circuit combination may be built up by successively pressing predetermined buttons in predetermined order to establish the control circuit, and an electromagnetic circuit breaker for destroying any previous circuit combination which may have been established, the circuit for said electro-magnetic circuit breaker bedependent upon a predetermined setting oi the selective circuit setting devices and the pressing of a push button.

l. In a lock control system, a plurality of electrically controlled devices successive ly operable to establish a control circuit, a selective circuit setting device comprising switch arms concentrically arranged for movement about a common axis, oneswitch arm being provided for each device, and being electrically connected therewith, a plurality of independent contacts so arranged that each contact is engageable by one or more of said switch arms selectively to establish the said devices in circuit with any predetermined contacts, exposed independent circuit closers, one for each contact and electrically connected therewith whereby any predetermined circuit combination may be completed to establish the control circuit, and an electro-magnetic circuit breaker for destroying any previous circuit combination which may have been established, the circuit for said circuit breaker being dependent upon the position of one of the arms of the selective circuit setting devicev and one of the independent circuit closers.

In testimony whereof we aliix our signatures.

nonaon s. cnnsn. WILLIAM n. FLETCHER. 

